Device for distribution of powdery material



R. R. ROOT Aug. 13, 1929.

DEVICE FOR DISTRIBUTION OF yPOWPKY'IAI'EI'Zf. Filed Sept. 23. 1922 Patented Aug. 13, 1929.

.UNITED STATES.PATiilfsir,y Q-FF'ICL- RALPH n. Boor, or CLEVELAND, omo, as sIeNoa :'ro rim aooruamir'ac'ruxnaf- 4 COMPANY, OIE` OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIOt DEvIoE, ron DisraiBUrIoN or rowniinxm'rimin. i

Appiimion mea september'aa, i922. semi Negreanu., i

ada ted for insecticide distribution andl has for its special object the provision of a distributor for dry powdery insecticides such as are used in cotton culture for thedestruction of the boll-weevil, inl potato culture for the destruction ofthe potato bug, and in tobacco culture for the eradication of its peculiar pest. Experience has proved that the best effects are produced by employment of dry powder dusted upon the plants while the'dew is on them and that it is suicient for most purposes to employ a comparatively small weightof insecticide-peracre, if only it be uniformly and rapidl applied in a forcibly driven cloud of ver ne dust. For example in the treatment ofI cotton against the bollweevil, three pounds of calcium arsenate per acre when dusted uniformly and finelyithereon during a dewy night is ample for une treatment, and two or three treatments per season is ample for the protection ofthe crop,

-but no machine has heretofore been producedl whichwill distribute this material uniformly '-5 at this rate, owing to its tendency to lump, bridge, and clog. Various machines have been known which will distributeevenly an amount of from fifteen to twenty pounds per acre, but this constitutes two expensive a tax 0 upon thegrower as well as necessitatin a wheeled vehicle for the transportation o soA great a weight of mechanism and contents,A

which is impossible to use on most cotton land excepting ina peculiarly dry season.

Accordingly the objects of .my invention are the provision of a device whereby calcium arsenate, lead arsenate, lime, Paris green an the like materials in dry pulverulent form,

can be distributed uniforn'il vin a dust-cloud form at a regulable rate ofy from about one pound per acre upwardly; the provision of a device of this character wherein clogging, lumping, and bridging ofthe material shall r' be prevented regardlessv of atmospheric condition's; the provision of a device of this character which can either be carried directly by the operator orby saddle-animal ridden by the operator; the provision of a device of this character whichcan be driven by either or both hands, and wherein the height of the discharge nozzles may be adjusted for different heights of plants relatively to the apparatus; while further objects 'and advantavesof the invention will become .apparent as the description proceeds.

Aportion 9c of the crank is In the drawings accompanyingandforming a part of this applicationI one embodiment of my invention although ave shown not with the intent to limitmyself to the feal tures of design, construction, or arrangement therein illustrated. Fig. lisa perspective view of m improved distributor attached-t0 a saddle; ig. 2 is an end view,an'd Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section through the apparatus; Fig. 4 is .-a" transverse sectional view through the apparatus, illustrating one mode of securing the same to a saddle horn; Fig. 5

isa detail view of the conveyingand feedingmechanism; and Fig'. 6 is -a sectional view through one lof the handle-couplings. Fig. 7 is a sectional View on'the `line 7-ff7 of Fig. 3.

Describing by reference characters the parts shown in these drawi s, 1,.indicates the container or lreceptacle w ich ispreferably ofcylindrical shape and provided at stra s the b zontal. I have also shown a bracket 4 whereby it may be fastenedto the pommel 6 of the saddle 5, with its .axis similarly horizontal. Extending axially through this receptacle is the rotatable shaft 7 which ispreferably ione side with a hinged cover 2 and also with 3 whereby it may be supported from odyof the operator with its axis horimade of tubing. 4At each end of theshaft 7 there is upon theend thereof -a member vhaving a slecye 8 with a flaring cup-shaped portion 8 in which there is formed a diagonal -open slot 8".

' Extending intoeach end of the shaft 7 is acrank member 9 which has a grip 9 and a diagonal portion 9" and a straight portion 9'.which' extends within an end' ofl d the hollow shaft 7. The straight portion 9' has a portion of reduced diameter, as indicated at 9 with which co-operates a set screw 8 that serves to fasten the sleeve Svupon the shaft7 and the end of the s et screw extends' into the portion 9, thus permitting the crank to have a limited amount'of movementaxially with respect ,to the shaft 7. When the as shown in Fig. 6, then t ulled'- outwardly, l

e crank may be turned without engaging or having aiiyopv erative connection with the shaft 7. .On the other hand, 'when the portion Q" is pushed inwardly 'then the slanting portion orjdia;`

onal portion 9'of the crank will engage wi the slot 8b when the crankl is turned inthe .proper shaft 7.

direction, andA under' thesev circumj stances the crank will serve` to 4operate the n-' .j' F rom the foregoing it will be seen that the shaft 7 may be operated with either or both of the cranks 9. And it will furthermore be noted that tlxen one of the handles is released and the oth operated thereleased handle will lmerely drov to its'lowermost positionl and remain in t at position and be inoperative, because theoperative relation between the handles and the crank can only be efected when thel crank is being used.

At the lower side of the receptacle is a lonitudinal horizontal trough 1 having open- Y 1ngs 23, 23, at its ends; and journaled in this sleeves `15 and universal joints 17,18.

trough is a horizontal shaft havin secured at each end a blower-fan enclosed a fan casing with which they trou h interior communicates through a regula le opening. I have shown a gear casing 13 mounted inside the container andl housing a .gear train whereby motion is transmitted from .the F*shaft 7 to the spindle 14 to which the shaft sections 16, 16", are attached by the 'screw Each of the sleeves 15 is adjustably mounted upon the shaft 16 so that the position of the conve or 20 and more particularly the arm 21 which isl at the end thereof, may be adjusted with res ct to the exit opening 26 in the plate 19. or the purpose o securing the sleeve 15 in its adjusted position, a lock ynut 15 is provided in connection with each sleeve 15 which is threaded upon the spindlev '14, this nut co-operating with the sleeve 15 to hold it in its adjusted position.. v

Each fan casing comprises a circular plate 19 rigidly secured to the-end wall of the container and a hollow member 27y rotatably secured thereto by having its flange 28 emdisplacing the plate 19 slightly from the end4 of the container, and similarly extending the trough la. I have shown the edge of the rin 29 formed with teeth adapted to engage a ri 24a formed on the lever to hold the same against accidental displacement.

Secured to the outer end of each of the shaft sections 16, 16g, is a fan 30. Upon the shaft 16 and just inside of each fan 30 there is a plate member 30B. This plate member may be loosely mounted on the shaft 16, or the construction may be such that the plate 30a is directly attached tov the fan 30 yboth of which constructions serve the same purpose. The function of the plate 30a is to act as a means for preventingl the incoming air which is brought in through the openings 27 of the fan casing from coming in contact with the powdery substance which is directly issuing from the outlet opening of the casing 1, for otherwise the strong current of air im edes the free passage of this powdery material through its outlet opening, causin it to deposit on the wall, and also tends to c cse the outlet opening. v

Secured to the portion of each of the shaft sections 16, 16L lying inside the trough is a conveyor, which preferably takes the form of an auger screw 20, right diand on the one side and left hand on the other so as to tend to convey the material towards the respective fan chambers. Also projecting from each shaft adjacent to and sweeping across the opening 26 is an 'arm 21 whose length is great'- er than the radius of the screw; and outside of 7 and rotatable with said screwy is a longitudinal rod or wire 22. `The simplest way of making this conveyor is to wind a square wire in yhelical fashion and afterwards locate screw or rendering the same inoperative. I

preferably iare this wirey 22 towards the inner end of the shaft so as to tend to catch the lintlike particles which are usually found in powdery substances largely accumulated during bolting, and to cause the same to -travel along the vwire away from the discharge through which the powdery material is' fed.

To the shaft 7 I attach one or more stirrers 12, 12, adapted to swee across the trough and prevent any general ridging or arching thereover, and the wire 22 prevents any local bridging at the conveyor.

The arm 21 occupies a position which is practically at right angles to shaft 16 so that any lint-like material which may tend to cling thereto will be discharged from the end thereof due to centrifugal action.

Suitable spout members 32 are secured to the outlet necks 31, 31, and terminated by the spray nozzles 33,`such additional tube sections 32 and 34 being interposed as may be desirable to best'position the nozzles. rilhe rotatable mounting of the casing members 27 enables the position of this discharge to be adjusted with reference to the height of the plants and also in accordance with whether the machine is carried directly by the operator or operated from horseback. In the latter case italso'permits the spouts to be moved out of the way for mounting and dismounting. Also the spout members 32, 32 and 34 may be attached at an oblique angle to each other so that upon rotation the nozzles will project at different angles.

The casing 1 having been filled with any dry powdery insecticide, the shaft 7 is turned by either or both of the handles 9, 9, thereby driving the fans at a high speed. The wires- This insecticide is then caught up by the air' rush and delivered from the nozzlesin the form of a steam-like cloud of such force as to eddy about the plant leaves and settle upon all sides of the same. In case the trough should become bridged over, the same will be broken by the wire 12 before the bridging can effect the insecticide discharge.

It will be understood that I do not restrict myself to a duplex device nor to any one method or arrangement of gearing, mounting, arrangement, design, or mechanical construction, inasmuch as modifications can be made in all such matters within the scope of the claims hereto annexed.

Having thus described my invention what I claim is:

1. In a distributor for dry insecticide, in combination, a cylindrical container having a fan chamber at each end and communicating therewith, means for supporting said container With its axis substantially horizontal, a fan in each fan chamber, a drive shaft journaled to said container, driving connections between said shaft and both said fans, means inside said container actuated by said drive shaft for feeding insecticide into said fan chambers, and a pair of cranks individually clutched to said'drive shaft, one at each end.

Q 'In a distributor for dry insecticide, in combination, a cylindrical container having a fan chamber at each end and communicating therewith, mefgms for supporting said container with its axis substantially horizontal, a drive shaft traversing said container lengthwise, a 1fan shaft 'journaled in the lowest part of said container and entering said fan chamber, an enclosed casing cooperating with said shafts, gearing within the cas- `ing and in part supported thereby, which gearing connects the driving shaft and fan lshaft, afan in each'chamber secured to the fan shaft, means carried by the fan shaft for conveying insecticide to the4 respective fan chambers, and means carried by the main shaft for stirringthe insecticide.

3. In a distributor for dry insecticide, in combination, a cylindrical container having a fan chamber at one end and communicating therewith, means for supporting said con- .tainer with its axis `substantially horizontal,

two shafts journaled longitudinally of said container, one projecting into the fan chamber, a fan on said last shaft, a pair of cranks independently clutched to the other shaft, one at cach end, driving connections between said shafts, and means carried by the fan shaft for conveying insecticide toward and forcing it into the fan chamber. i 4. In a distributor for dry insecticide, in combination, a container having a fan chamber adjacent thereto and communicating therewith, a fan in said fan chamber, means for driving the fan, means for controlling the opening between the container and fan chainber, a conveyor arranged to deliver the insecticide toward said opening, a wiper adapted to force the insecticide through said open- 1ng, and means for breaking up the insecticide in the vicinity of said conveyor. l

5. In a distributor for dry insecticide, in combination, a container, means in the container for agilating the contents thereof, a horizontal shaft in the bottoni part of said container and projecting through the wall thereof, a fan chamber into which said shaft projects, a fan in said chamber secured to said shaft, there being an opening in the container wall adjacent to said shaft, a com-'eyor mechanism operated by said shaft adapted upon rotation of the same to move insecticide toward said opening, means for rotating said shaft, and means for breaking up the insecticide in the Vicinity of said conveyor mechanism.

6. In a distributor for dry insecticide, in combination, a container, a horizontal shaft in the bottom part of said container and projccting through the wall thereof, a fan chamber into which said shaft projects, a fan in said chamber secured to said shaft, there being an opening in the container wall adjacent to said shaft, means for controlling the size of said opening, means for feeding material toward the opening and means for forcin material through said opening. j

In a distributor for dry insecticide, in combination, a container, mrans in the container for agitating the contents thereof, a horizontal trough opening intothe bottom thereof, a fan casing at the end of said trough and communicating therewith, a screw conveyor in said trough and having an extension which projects into the fan chamber, a fan secured to said extension inside said chamber, means for rotating said conveyor and fan, and means for breaking up the insecticide in the vicinity of said screw conveyor.

8. In adistributor for dry insecticide, in combination, a container, a horizontal trough opening into the bottom thereof, a. fan casing at the end of said trough and fomnnmieating therewith, a screw conveyor in sriid trough, a fan in said fan easing, means for rotating both said screw-conveyor and said conveyor for preventing caking and bridging'n fan, and means for breaking up the insecticide in` the vicinity of said screw-conveyor,

said conveyor having a part adjacent the fan chamber to press the insecticide" into said chamber. l

9. In a distributor for dry'insecticides, in combination, a cylindrical container, having a fan chamber at one end thereof and ahori-` zontal trough at one side thereof communieating with said fan chamber, means for supporting said container with its axis substantially horizontal and said trough substantially at the` bottom, a shaft in said trough projecting. into said fan chamber, a spiral carried by said shaft inside said trough adapted to convey insecticide toward said fan chamber, means associated with the spiral for breaking up caking material in vicinity of the spiral, a drive shaft traversing said I container lengthwise, a stirring arm carried by said drive shaft and sweeping over said u trough, 'driving connections between said shafts, and a'fan in said fan-chamber connected to said first shaft.

10. In a distributor for dry insecticide, in combination, a horizontal container having a fan chamber at one end,g the lowest part of the container having an^opening communieating with the fan chamber near the center of the latter,a pluralityof horizontal shafts in said container, one of said lshafts projecting into the fan chamber, a fan secured thereto, the other of said shafts carrying agitating devices driving connections between saids'hafts, a conveyor inside said container arranged during the rotation of said shaftsto advance insecticide toward said opening, and means for breaking up said insecticidein the vicinity of said conveyor.

1l. In a distributor for -dry insecticide, in combination, a container havingtwo fan chambers, one at each side, means operatively connecting said fans whereby the same are.

of the insecticide adj acent'l the conveyor.

i 13. A distributor for dry insecticide comprising, in combination, a container having an outlet, pneumatic distributing mechanism with which said outlet communicates, a screwconveyor within the container adjacent the outlet, and a rod member carried by the conveyor and extending longitudinally thereof but spaced laterally therefrom so as to agitate t veyor. i'

14. A distributor for dry insecticide comprising, in combination, a container having an outlet, a casing mounted upon the con- -tainer with which said outlet communicates,

a blower fan within said casing, means in said container for moving said insecticide through said outlet, and an outlet pipe carried by the casing, said casing being movably mounted relatively to the container.

15. lA-distributor for dry insecticide coinprising, in combination, a containerhaving an outlet, means p for ej ecting insecticide through said outlet, a casing mounted upon the container into which said outlet communicates, a blower fan within said casing, and an outlet pipe carried by said casing, saidoutlet pipe and casing being rotatable relatively to its mountin i 16. A distributor for dry insecticide comprising, in combinatioma container having an outlet, means for expelling insecticide through said outlet, a casing mounted upon the container with which said outlet communicates, one part of said 'casing being anged and the other part having al retaining ring embracing said fiange to secure the parts together and permit vrelative rotation, a blower fan inside said casing,and an outlet pipe carried by said fianged part.

1,7. A distributor for dry insecticide comprising, in combination, a container having an outlet, means `for expelling insecticide through said outlet, a cup-shaped casing member mounted upon the exterior of'said container and defining a fan chamber, said outlet communicating with the central part of safid chamber, means. securing said -cupshaped casing member so as to permit it to e insecticide in the vicinity of the conbe rotated about its own axis, a fan inside y said casing member, and a tangential outletl pipe carried by lsaid casing member.

18. A distributor for dry insecticide comprising, in combination, a container having an outlet, a. shaft mounted in said container adjacent the outlet, a conveyor carried by said shaft for moving material toward the outlet, means adjacent the outlet for pushing material through the outlet, a casing carried by the-container and defining a fan chamber,

said outlet communicating with the interior of said fan chamber and said shaft having a portion which extends into said chamber, a

fan carried by said shaft, and an outlet pipe carried by the casing.

19. A distributor for dry insecticide, comprising, in combination, a container having an outlet, a shaft within the container located adjacent the outlet, a conveyor operatedy by said shaft, a casing mounted upon the exterior of the conveyor and defining a fan chamber, a part of said casing being mounted so that it may turn about the chamber axis,

which said outlet communicates, a conveyor .within the container adjacent the outlet, a

revoluble member associated withthe conveyor which moves in a ath around the conveyor axis to break up t 1e powdery material` said revoluble member being positioned in a slanting direction away from the said outlet opening in the container.

21. In a device for dispensing powdery material, the combination with a container having an outlet and distributing mechanism as sociated with the outlet,a conveyor within the container and ahead of the outlet, and means mounted on the conveyor for pre-l venting caking and hanging of the material aroundrthe conveyor.

22. In a device for dispensing powdery material, the combination with a container havmg an outlet and distributing mechanism associated with the outlet, a conveyor within v through.

the container and aheadof the outlet, and a revolvable member associated with the conveyor which moves in a path around the axis of the conveyor to prevent caking or hanging of material.

23; In a device for ldispensing powdery material, the combination with a container having an outlet and distributing mechanism associated with the outlet, a conveyor within the outlet for moving the material toward the outlet, and an arm rotatable in a plane -substantially, arallel with the wall in which the outlet is ormed and 'directly co-operating with the outlet for forcing material there- 24. In a device for dispensing. powdery material, the combination with av container havingl a narrow outlet and distributing mechanism associated with the outlet,

\ a conveyor within the container for moving material toward the outlet, and an arm rotatable' in a plane substantially with the wall in which the'outlet is ormed,

which arm directly co-op'erates with the said putlet fog.` forcing material through the out- 25. A device 'for'dspensing powdery material, comprising a' container, a conveyor within the container, and extending at approximately riglht angles to a wall of the container, said wa having an opening adjacent the end of said'conveyor, means for forcing arallel material received from the conveyor throu h said opening and a chamber into which said material is-forced.

' 26. A device for dispensing powdery. ma-

'terial comprising a container, a conveyorchamber into which-said material is forced. v 27. A device for dispensing powdery ma terial comprising a container, a conveyor within thecont-ainer and extending at approximately right angles to a wall of sald container, said wall having an'opening adjacent the end of the conveyor, a member rotating in a plane parallel to and adjacent to the opening in the said wall whereby material is forced through said opening and a chamber into which said vmaterial is forced.

28. A device for dispensing, powdery material comprising a container, a conveyor within the container and extending at approximately right anglesy to a wall of said container, said wall having an opening adjacent the end of the conveyor, a member rotating in a Vplane parallel to and adjacent to the opening in the said wall whereby material is forced through said opening'and a chamber into which said material is forced. means associated with the conveyor to break up mateterial around the conveyor. "29. A device for dispensing powdery material, comprising a conveyor within the container, and extending at approximately right angles to a wall of the container, said wall having an opening adjacent the end of said conveyor, means for forcing material received from the conveyor through said opening A'and a chamber into which said material*4 is forced and means associated with the conveyor.

30. A device for dispensing powdery material comprising a container, a conveyor ARALPH R, Roo'r;v i

ve'yor to break up material around the conl 

